Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Radioluminescence Based Biochemical Sensing And Imaging Strategies To Measure Local Drug Release And Ph, Gretchen B. Schober

All Dissertations

In this dissertation we describe methods for measuring infection relevant biochemical analytes using radioluminescent and ultrasound luminescent materials. Films and nanoparticles fabricated with europium doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺) are used to quantitatively measure radiolabeled pharmaceutical concentration, specifically tritium labeled vancomycin (³H-vancomycin). Europium and dysprosium doped strontium aluminate is used to fabricate an ultrasound modulated, pH sensing film. These methods are indicated for theranostic evaluation of implant associated infection. Bacterial biofilms are inherently resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment and can coat biomedical implants. These biofilm related infections are difficult or impossible to eradicate …

Development Of Advanced Mr-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy Methods For Head & Neck Cancers On The 1.5t Mr-Linac, Brigid Mcdonald

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The 1.5T hybrid MRI/linear accelerator (MR-linac) has recently been introduced into clinical practice and used for the treatment of head and neck cancers (HNC). This device enables on-line adaptive radiation therapy (ART) based on anatomical changes throughout treatment and variations in patient position. This novel technology also has the potential for advanced ART strategies such as dose-optimized ART, in which the treatment plan is optimized based on the accumulated dose over previous fractions, or biological image-guided ART, in which the plan is adapted based on individual tumor response as measured through quantitative imaging techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The …

Computer Aided Diagnosis System For Breast Cancer Using Deep Learning., Asma Baccouche

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The recent rise of big data technology surrounding the electronic systems and developed toolkits gave birth to new promises for Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the continuous use of data-centric systems and machines in our lives, such as social media, surveys, emails, reports, etc., there is no doubt that data has gained the center of attention by scientists and motivated them to provide more decision-making and operational support systems across multiple domains. With the recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, the use of machine learning and deep learning models have achieved remarkable advances in computer vision, ecommerce, cybersecurity, and healthcare. Particularly, numerous …

Cell-Free Dna Sequencing In Multiple Myeloma, Russell Irwin

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell dyscrasia. Recent advances in MM therapy, including CAR-T therapy, have increased survival and shown the value of assessing treatment response with great sensitivity, both in acute and long-term settings. Cell-free DNA, DNA fragments which are released into circulation as a part of normal cellular turnover, is a useful and dynamic biomarker in cancer patients due to the presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which is readily identified using next generation sequencing. Here we report the analytical sensitivity, applicability, consistency, and prognostic ability of M5Seq, a novel hybrid capture panel designed for MM …

Confirming Multiplex Rt-Qpcr Use In Covid-19 With Next-Generation Sequencing: Strategies For Epidemiological Advantage, Rob E. Carpenter, Vaibhav Tamrakar, Harendra Chahar, Tyler Vine, Rahul Sharma

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rapid identification and tracking of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are critical for understanding the transmission dynamics and developing strategies for interrupting the transmission chain. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is an exceptional tool for whole-genome analysis and deciphering new mutations. The technique has been instrumental in identifying the variants of concern (VOC) and tracking this pandemic. However, NGS is complex and expensive for large-scale adoption, and epidemiological monitoring with NGS alone could be unattainable in limited-resource settings. In this study, we explored the application of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) based detection of the variant identified by NGS. We analyzed a total …

Heart To Heart, Mom To Mom, Karis L. Tekwani

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

This essay describes the human connection forged between two young moms, one the physician and one the patient, when their paths collided one night in the emergency department of a busy hospital. It describes a challenging and most memorable care experience in the career of a young emergency physician, the clinical outcome, and the patient’s appreciative follow-up message years later.

Can Variables From The Electronic Health Record Identify Delirium At Bedside?, Ariba Khan, Kayla Heslin, Michelle Simpson, Michael L. Malone

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Delirium, a common and serious disorder in older hospitalized patients, remains underrecognized. While several delirium predictive models have been developed, only a handful have focused on electronic health record (EHR) data. This prospective cohort study of older inpatients (≥ 65 years old) aimed to determine if variables within our health system’s EHR could be used to identify delirium among hospitalized patients at the bedside. Trained researchers screened daily for delirium using the 3-minute diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM). Patient demographic and clinical variables were extracted from the EHR. Among 408 participants, mean age was 75 years, 60.8% were female, and …

Partnering To Advance Health Equity And A Welcome Opportunity To Gather: Proceedings From The 28th Annual Conference Of The Health Care Systems Research Network, Robert T. Greenlee

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In April 2022, the Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) — a consortium of 20 research institutions affiliated with large health systems spread across the United States (and one in Israel) — held its 28th annual conference in Pasadena, California, with 275 researchers, health care colleagues, and external academic partners in attendance. With a conference theme of “Promoting Collaboration and Partnerships to Advance Health Equity,” the scientific program was assembled by a multisite planning committee with input from representatives of informal local host Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Objectives of the annual conference are to showcase scientific findings from HCSRN projects …

Cardiac Metastasis After Curative Treatment Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Risk Factors, Treatment Options, And Prognosis, Gaurav Jain, Mathew Otto, Mubeen Khan Mohammed Abdul, Manpreet Chadha, Ajay Sahajpal

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is primary hepatic malignancy with a high incidence of recurrence. The risk of recurrence directly correlates to patient’s overall prognosis. Management of advanced HCC involves a combination of surgical resection, locoregional therapy, and systemic treatment. Distant metastases are rare, and intraventricular cardiac metastases are even more infrequent. This brief review details an illustrative case of cardiac metastasis after curative treatment of primary HCC and then summarizes the literature on risk factors, treatment options, and patient prognosis in the setting of distant metastases from HCC. Prognosis of metastasis to the heart is generally poor, and available evidence emphasizes …

Is Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Effective At Controlling Hypertension In African American Patients? A Clin-Iq, Rebecca Nye, Wilhelm Lehmann, Deborah Simpson

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

African Americans are disproportionately affected by hypertension, a modifiable contributor to multiple chronic diseases and premature death. Primary care physicians play an important role in hypertension control. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is an evidence-based method for confirming diagnosis and monitoring hypertension over time. Some studies have found that HBPM may lead to clinically relevant reductions in blood pressure when combined with additional interventions, but few studies have focused specifically on African American populations. Evidence of effectiveness could increase clinical recommendation of HBPM. This clinical inquiry examined whether HBPM improves blood pressure control in African Americans with uncontrolled hypertension. Reviewed …

Successful Treatment Of Radiation-Induced Colitis And Enteritis With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Mark D. Ringle, Jeffrey S. Cooper

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Introduction

Previously irradiated tissue is characterized by changes including decreased vascularity, impaired cellular proliferation, and local hypoxia consistent with fibroblastic atrophy which can persist long after radiation therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of complications arising from these late effects of radiation on normal tissue through enhancing fibroblast proliferation, collagen maturation, stem cell recruitment, and angiogenesis.

Methods

We report on three patients with debilitating radiation enterocolitis causing issues including recurrent bowel obstruction, anorexia requiring total parenteral nutrition, pain, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, dehydration, and malnutrition.

Results

In all three cases marked improvement was the …

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Cerebral Radiation Necrosis Secondary To Stereotactic Radiation: A Case Series, Sruti Prathivadhi-Bhayankaram, Jeffrey S. Cooper

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Introduction: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an excellent option for the treatment of numerous central nervous system diseases. There exist several forms of SRS, including gamma-knife surgery (GKS) and cyber-knife surgery. The most significant complication of SRS is the delayed effects of therapeutic radiation, also known as radionecrosis. The current treatment options for radionecrosis have a significant side effect profile and posit challenges for medical management. More recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) has emerged as an option for treatment with minimal side effects.

Methods: We present a retrospective case series examining ten patients treated with HBO2 after receiving radiotherapy. Of …

Effect Of Injury Mechanism And Severity On The Molecular Pathophysiology Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Brandon Mcdonald

Biological Systems Engineering--Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) mechanism and severity are heterogenous clinically, resulting in a multitude of physical, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. However, approximately 80% suffer from milder injuries. Thus, examining pathophysiological changes associated with mild TBI is imperative for improving clinical translation and evaluating the efficacy of potential therapeutic strategies. Through this work, we developed models of TBI, ranging in both injury mechanism and severity, using an electromagnetic controlled cortical impact (CCI) device. First, we characterized and optimized a closed head, mild TBI model (DTBI) to determine the clinical translatability and practicality of producing repeated mild injuries. Interestingly, we determined that …

Utility Of Av Nodal Characteristics In Identification Of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia And Risk Of Recurrence, Kimberly M. Decarr

Longitudinal Scholar's Project

Background: Catheter ablation of the slow atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathway is a safe and effective treatment for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). While AVNRT occurs frequently in both children and adults, pediatric patients experience higher rates of AVNRT recurrence.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize changes in AV nodal conduction properties following catheter ablation and correlate these properties with AVNRT recurrence in pediatric patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients aged(AVRT) at a single tertiary care center between January 01, 2010 and September 01, 2021. Demographics, pre- and post-ablation ECG intervals, and AV nodal conduction …

Screening And Assessment Of Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Clinical Practice Guideline For Health Care Providers, Mary I. Fisher, Joy C. Cohn, Shana Harrington, Jeannette Lee, Daniel Malone

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Regular surveillance is recommended, but few clinical practice guidelines transparently assess study bias, quality, and clinical utility in deriving recommendations of screening and assessment methods. The purpose of this clinical practice guideline (CPG) is to provide recommendations for the screening and assessment of CRF for health care professions treating individuals with cancer. Following best practices for development of a CPG using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Statement and Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) Guidelines Trust Scorecard, this CPG included a systematic search of the …

Trustworthiness And Quality In Research For Clinical Application, Mary I. Fisher

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Sepsis: Do The Clinical Criteria Support The Medical Coding?, April M. Insco

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Sepsis is a condition that can be very costly and very deadly. Diagnosing sepsis can be challenging as there is not one specific test that will identify whether a patient has sepsis and there are varying opinions as to the true definition of sepsis. The definition of sepsis used for this research is a combination of System Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) with an identified infection. Medical Coders must review the documentation provided in a medical record to accurately assign an ICD-10-CM code. Administrative data is then used to provide statistical information for research purposes. When coded data is not …

Project Ankle-Brachial Index: Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Peripheral Artery Disease Protocol, Melaney Banks

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a narrowing or blocking of the arteries due to plaque buildup, which prevents oxygen, blood, and other nutrients from getting to the legs. When this buildup reaches a certain point, it becomes atherosclerosis, which is more prevalent in a smoker. Smoking intensifies the problem of plaque buildup if an individual already suffers from PAD. When an individual smokes, the nicotine causes the arteries to constrict and narrow, reducing blood flow further. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple, cost-effective diagnostic test to identify the presence of PAD which will improve patient outcomes.

Purpose: This …

Perspectives Of African American Women About Barriers To Breast Cancer Prevention And Screening Practices: A Qualitative Study, Abosede F. Obikunle, Jochebed Bosede Ade-Oshifogun

Faculty Publications

Breast cancer is a severe illness that often has fatal consequences. Adherence to the recommendations for breast cancer surveillance is poorly practiced among African American women. The study aimed to identify barriers to preventative screening for breast cancer among African American women (AAW) using a qualitative research design. We explored the influence of personal barriers, stereotypes, socioeconomic status, culture, attitudes, and beliefs on African American women's behavior regarding breast cancer screening. Fourteen African American women were interviewed. Data analysis was completed with Interpretative Phenomenology Approach (IPA). This study's findings demonstrated that African American women perceived the barriers to breast cancer …

Evaluation Of Apical Debris Extrusion Of Two Full-Rotating Instruments, Hyflex Edm And Race Evo, Versus Two Reciprocating Instruments, Reciproc Blue And R-Motion: An In-Vitro Study., Carla Abi Saad, Roula Abiad

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

Complete cleaning and shaping of the root canal space is a mandatory stage for the success of root canal treatment. Extrusion of different materials apically during this step such as dentine debris, pulp tissue remnants, necrotic fragments, microorganisms and irrigants may occur. These extruded materials lead to periapical irritation, pain and/or swelling. To evaluate the apical debris extrusion of Race EVO and Hyflex EDM which are full-rotating instruments, versus R-motion and Reciproc Blue as reciprocating instruments. Forty extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were selected with single canals not affected by fluorosis, resorption, or fracture. Teeth were then randomly divided into …